Privacy News – February 2025

Source: Privacy Commissioner The February 2025 issue of Privacy News includes a reminder about giving feedback on the Biometrics Code, a piece about the Public Services Commission and Stats NZ reports, how to apply to speak in Privacy Week 2025, and new guidance for tenants and landlords on our website. You can also read about … Read more

The greatest threat in the workplace could be sitting next to you

Source: Privacy Commissioner By Michael Webster, Privacy Commissioner Originally published on the New Zealand Herald 3 October 2024. One of the greatest risks to privacy in the workplace could be sitting next to you – or it could even be you. Employee browsing or the unauthorised access and misuse of personal information is one of … Read more

Calls to ditch NCEA tests expose a deficit in school leadership

Source: ACT Party Responding to principals calling for an end to new online NCEA tests due to low pass rates, ACT Education spokesperson Laura McClure says: “We’ve tested literacy and numeracy and discovered big problems. A normal response would be to look at how our schools are equipping kids with these basic skills. Instead, we’ve got principals … Read more

Every Bite’s deep work shifts behaviour on food waste

Source: Zero Waste Network Aotearoa Every Bite has released its first annual report outlining in-depth its work, methods and outcomes in preventing food waste. What emerges are good news stories about how communities and individuals are connecting with each other and learning how to address Aotearoa NZ’s serious food waste problem. “A lot of us … Read more

Tech and innovation boost for Marlborough

Source: New Zealand Government A major boost to regional innovation opens in Blenheim today, supported by a $578,000 grant from the Government’s Regional Strategic Partnership Fund (RSPF), Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson says.“The completion of Te Au Pūngao – Tech & Innovation Hub is a key regional development milestone which will provide opportunities for … Read more

Police seek information and footage to SH6 fatality, Gibbston

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) An investigation has been launched into the death of a man on State Highway 6 after he was struck by a vehicle last night. Emergency services were called to the scene near Kawerau Bridge Historic Reserve at around 10pm. Sadly, the man was located deceased at the scene. Work … Read more

Driver charged over crash that killed passengers

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) Police have charged a 20-year-old driver for allegedly causing the deaths of two of his passengers in January. The crash on Butchers Road, Clarkville, on 11 January, killed a 20-year-old man and a 17-year-old woman, both of whom were in a vehicle being driven by the accused. The car … Read more

Woman charged over child’s death

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) A woman has been charged with manslaughter after a young girl died when she was struck by a vehicle in Hawke’s Bay earlier this year. About 5.30pm on 25 January, Police were called to Chatham Road, Lochain, after a crash involving a car and a pedestrian. The pedestrian, an … Read more

Mental health peer support extends to Wellington Hospital ED

Source: New Zealand Government Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey today officially marked the start of a new peer support service at Wellington Hospital Emergency Department, an initiative that will help people to have faster access to mental health support. “The peer support specialists are workers with lived experience who are available talk to people who … Read more

Police respond to IPCA findings on death in custody

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) Police acknowledge the findings by the Independent Policy Conduct Authority in relation to the death of an Auckland man in June 2021. The 43-year-old man was admitted into Auckland Hospital on 11 June with abdominal pain and shortness of breath. Hospital staff located a concealed package in his clothing … Read more

Heritage and History – Rēkohu Wharekauri Chatham Island waka excavation uncovers clues to our voyaging past

Source: Ministry for Culture and Heritage The limited excavation of the partial remains of a waka found on Rēkohu Wharekauri Chatham Island has finished. “The site has now been covered and secured by the archaeological team and neighbouring landowner,” said Glenis Philip-Barbara, Pou Mataaho o Te Hononga Deputy Secretary Māori Crown Partnerships, Manatū Taonga Ministry for … Read more

ChildFund – Urgent Support for Ukrainian Children in 2025

Source: ChildFund New Zealand Uncertainty about the next stage in the war in Ukraine is putting increased pressure on Ukrainian children who have already put up with three years of war. “Our ChildFund partners based all through Ukraine and in Moldova are continuing the roll out of our 2025 programme of support. No matter what the … Read more

Caravan caper leads pair to court

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) Two men have been arrested following a fleeing driver event involving a vehicle towing a caravan in Wellington. Shortly after 5am, Police were notified that a caravan had been stolen from outside a Khandallah address. Police were able to locate the vehicle and lay road spikes, however, the driver … Read more

Laws to keep firearms out of the wrong hands come into force

Source: New Zealand Government Changes to the Firearms Prohibition Order (FPO) regime take effect today (Sunday 2 March). Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says the Firearms Prohibition Order regime has been expanded to help Police to keep firearms out of the hands of gangs and other high-risk offenders. “This is part of our commitment to reduce violent … Read more

Reminder: Rock scaling works planned for State Highway 65, Higgins Bluff

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency Drivers travelling on the inland route, State Highway 65, between Murchison and Springs Junction will need to detour from next week with resilience works planned on the highway at Higgins Bluff. Contractors will be onsite on the Shenandoah Highway near Ariki, from Monday, 10 March, when they will begin rock … Read more

Saddle Road reopens after earlier serious crash

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency Saddle Road has reopened following a serious crash this morning. The road,  between Woodville and Ashhurst, closed around 11am and a detour was put in place through Pahiatua Track. The Serious Crash Unit has now finished its scene investigation. While the road is now open, please drive to the conditions … Read more

Drug Detection – TDDA Adds Tramadol and Fentanyl Testing Amid Rising Workplace Detections

Source: Botica Butler Raudon Partners AUCKLAND – 3 March 2025 – The Drug Detection Agency (TDDA), New Zealand’s largest workplace drug testing provider, is announcing new drug testing capabilities for New Zealand workplaces. Beginning in March, TDDA will make it easier for New Zealand workplaces to screen for tramadol and fentanyl, two high-risk opioids that … Read more

Health – ProCare welcomes Health Minister’s announcement around funding uplift for primary care

Source: ProCare Leading healthcare provider, ProCare, has today welcomed the Health Minister’s announcement around the funding uplift for primary care, as the sector has been underfunded for a number of years now. Bindi Norwell, Chief Executive at ProCare says: “There is a significant need to invest in primary care, in order to keep people well, … Read more

Science – Seafloor of New Zealand’s most important fishing grounds shows resilience – NIWA

Source: NIWA Sea life in the seafloor of New Zealand’s most productive and important commercial fishing ground shows resilience to disturbance, according to a new study published in the New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research. The research found that some aspects of seafloor ecosystems on the Chatham Rise showed an ability to recover relatively quickly from … Read more

Buy NZ Made – Financial hardship at its highest level since 2020

Source: Buy NZ Made New Zealand businesses and consumers continue to face significant economic challenges in 2025, with data from Centrix revealing a 38% year-on-year increase in company liquidations. The services sector including advertising, accounting, and management consulting have all seen a rapid increase in company insolvencies in recent months. Meanwhile, insights collected from Buy NZ Made’s 1400 … Read more

Innovation Fund to support Crisis Café

Source: New Zealand Government Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey today visited Wellington City Mission’s Whakamaru Crisis Café where he announced they are the latest recipient of the Government’s Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund. “I am thrilled that the Wellington Mission will be receiving funding to deliver on an important initiative that is … Read more

Onerahi homicide: Name release

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) Police conducting a homicide investigation following the death of a woman at Beach Road Reserve on Thursday can now release her name. She was Yvonne Ann Chapman, 66, of Parua Bay. Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer, Whangārei CIB, says Police enquiries into the events leading up to her … Read more

Brett Fraser homicide investigation – $100,000 reward announced

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) Please attribute to Acting Detective Inspector Simon Harrison: A $100,000 reward is offered for information in relation to the death of Brett Fraser in October 2014. Fifty-one-year-old father Brett Fraser was killed on Tuesday 21 October 2014 in the West Auckland home he shared with his flatmate. We want … Read more

‘Western waistlines’ on the way globally as supermarkets and convenience stores take over the world, new study warns

Source: Media Outreach Some of the fastest growing countries in the world are set for dietary disaster as the trend of convenience store and supermarket dominance takes hold, according to a new global study released today on World Obesity Day. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 March 2025 – Just published in Nature … Read more

Once-in-a-Lifetime Aquatic Show ‘House of Dancing Water’ Proudly Returns In May

Source: Media Outreach City of Dreams Macau Presents the Breathtaking Must-Experience Artistry at Cutting-edge Technology Theater MACAU SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 March 2025 – Where Water Dances, Legends Come Alive; this is the central premise that sets the enchanting stage for a new ‘House of Dancing Water’, the once-in-a-lifetime aquatic show featuring … Read more

Deer the focus of annual Pureora Hunting Competition

Source: Department of Conservation Date:  03 March 2025 An annual event on the North Island hunting calendar, the competition is managed by DOC’s Maniapoto team with support from the NZ Deerstalkers Association. It opens on 15 March and concludes on 27 April with a prizegiving at the DOC Pureora workshop. DOC Senior Ranger Community Ray Scrimgeour … Read more

Hong Kong Ups Game with Exciting New Multi-purpose Sports Park

Source: Media Outreach HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Neswire – 3 March 2025 – The Grand Opening Ceremony of Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) on Saturday (March 1) featured cultural performances, music and entertainment at the magnificent new Kai Tak Stadium with a seating capacity of 50,000, marking the beginning of a new era … Read more